Maintain a Healthy Body Weight

Most people know that excessive body weight contributes to the development
of a number of conditions, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, high
blood pressure, and colon cancer. However, it may also be a major contributing
factor for the development of low back pain. The spine is designed to
carry a certain amount of body weight. When it is exposed to the excess
pressure of being overweight, the spine becomes stressed and, over time,
can suffer structural damage. Being overweight significantly contributes
to symptoms associated with osteoporosis, osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid
arthritis (RA), degenerative disc disease (DDD), spinal stenosis, and
spondylolisthesis.

In addition to back pain, those who are overweight may suffer from fatigue,
as well as difficulty breathing and shortness of breath during short periods
of exercise. If the fatigue and shortness of breath causes one to avoid
activity and exercise, then this can indirectly lead to back pain as lack
of exercise contributes to many common forms of back pain.

If you are currently overweight and suffer from low back pain, talk to
your doctor about effective ways to lose weight. Not only will your back
pain improve, but you will decrease your risk of most major degenerative
diseases at the same time.